Montgomery County Is Expecting 8-12 Inches of Snow that Could Impact Travel This Weekend

For Immediate Release: Friday, January 23, 2026

Snowstorm Resources and Preparation Safety Tips for Residents

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Winter Storm Warning for Montgomery County from 11 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24 to 4 a.m. Monday, Jan. 26. Residents can expect difficult travel and scattered power outages. Residents are advised not to approach down utility wires as they still may be energized. NWS forecasts 8-12 inches of snow for the County, along with temperatures falling below freezing.

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation's (MCDOTs) Division of Highway Services is preparing to mobilize and activate the Storm Operations Center. Primary County roads are currently being pretreated with salt brine, a mixture of 23% salt and water. Brine acts as a bond breaker helping to prevent ice accumulation. Additionally, pre-treatment of neighborhood streets will begin Saturday.

Plowing will begin on primary roads once snow reaches about three inches. The County prioritizes primary streets so that emergency vehicles can get within about a quarter mile from each residential home. Once snowfall stops and those primary streets are clear, County crews will begin plowing of residential roads. Plows may be pulled back to maintain those primary streets. Based on the scope of this event, residents should expect that it will take a few days before all residential roads are plowed.

Drivers should not expect bare pavement on neighborhood roads. Once these roadways are plowed and treated with salt, they will be drivable, but snowpack is likely to remain due to lingering cold temperatures.

Residents can check the County's Winter Storm Information portal, www.montgomerycountymd.gov/snow, for plowing and Ride On bus operational updates at the top of the page. The snow portal also contains information updates on any delays or closings.

The County's non-emergency informational call center, MC311, will open on Sunday, Jan. 25 from noon to 8 p.m. MC 311 will have extended hours on Monday, Jan. 26 from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. to handle calls regarding the storm. Residents can contact MC 311 by calling 3-1-1 or 240-777-0311 or online at MC311.com.

Note that once the snow portal displays all plowing operations are complete, MC 311 will address requests for missed areas. More information about snow removal including who plows specific streets, snow-removal status and submitting service requests is available on the snow portal as well.

Residents should prepare for winter weather by taking these three steps prior to the storm:

1. Sign up for Alert Montgomery. This free service allows emergency alerts to be delivered to email accounts, cell phones, and other wireless devices.

1. Charge electronic devices before the storm and keep the following phone numbers handy.

Emergency

Police/Fire/Ambulance…………….................................…9-1-1

Non-emergency

Non-Emergency Police…………………………...........301-279-8000

County Information and Services........3-1-1 or 240-777-0311

MC311 Call Center TTY 301-251-4850

Utilities

PEPCO…………………………...................................1-877-737-2662

BG&E………………………….....................................1-877-778-2222

Potomac Edison/First Energy……....................1-888-544-4877

Washington Gas…………………..............................703-750-1000

(Smell a strong odor of gas? Leave site and call 9-1-1)

WSSC-Emergencies……........................................301-206-4002

1. Make an Emergency Kit and an Emergency Plan.

MCDOT urges residents to avoid driving during the storm if possible and to plan ahead. Drivers should exercise caution and drive slowly if travel is unavoidable. MCDOT Ride On Bus riders should check for updates regularly at rideonbus.com. If a an "S schedule" or Service Plan is declared, Ride On bus routes will follow the following S schedule. Bus routes are considered primary routes and plowed as a priority.

During a County snow emergency, residents may park for free at County garages, parking along emergency routes is restricted and parking on residential streets is limited during snow clearing associated with the recent storm. Additionally, taxicabs providing service are permitted to charge an additional $2.50 per taxicab trip. Snow emergencies are announced and ended with a County press release announcement.

Separately, the state also declares snow emergencies for state roads, typically identified by roadways with numbers (for example, Rockville Pike/ 355). This issuance does not have the same parking restrictions on County roads, nor does it waive County parking fees and trigger the taxi surcharge.

While MCDOT is responsible for clearing 60 miles of sidewalks along County streets, residents are reminded that they are responsible for removing snow and ice on any sidewalk, on or adjacent to the property that the person owns, leases, or manages within 24 hours after the end of the storm. Additional information on sidewalk clearing can be found on the County's Safe Sidewalks webpage.

During a period of extremely cold temperatures and snowy conditions, it is important to check on neighbors, especially older adults and those living alone. Residents concerned about the well-being of individuals experiencing homelessness can call the County Department of Health and Human Services' 24-hour Crisis Line at 240-907-2688. Outreach partners will attempt to locate the individual and connect them with resources and support.

To report safety concerns about animals in distress, contact the Office of Animal Services at 301-279-8000.

For additional storm clearing effort updates, follow @MCDOTNow on X or Facebook.

Watch County Executive Marc Elrich's winter storm preparedness press conference on the County's YouTube page.

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